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Council introduces expedited Bill 6‑26 to clarify EMS-transport reimbursement uses for volunteer fire organizations
Summary
Expedited Bill 6‑26 was introduced Feb. 3 to amend county law so authorized local fire and rescue representatives and volunteer associations may receive EMS-transport reimbursement funds for enumerated purposes; a public hearing is set for Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM.
Council introduced Expedited Bill 6‑26 on Feb. 3, which would clarify how emergency medical service transport (EMST) reimbursement revenues may be used and who may receive them.
Lead sponsor Councilmember Katz explained the proposal would allow authorized local fire and rescue departments (LFRDs) and, in certain narrowly enumerated ways, the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCV FRA) to receive EMST funds to support volunteer‑specific purposes. Katz said the bill responds to an inspector general report from late 2025 that questioned prior distributions to the volunteer association and is intended to codify long‑standing county practice.
Public hearing on Expedited Bill 6‑26 is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:30 PM. Several council members sought to be added as co‑sponsors during the Feb. 3 meeting and staff clarified that the bill explicitly allows funds to go to LFRDs or, alternatively, to an LFRD representative (MCV FRA) but only for the narrow enumerated volunteer support purposes listed in the legislation’s language.
Councilmembers said the measure aims to preserve support for the county’s blended volunteer and career fire service and will be considered in the upcoming public hearing.
